Children’s e-books and the new e-book reader

The new Sony E-Book reader marks a milestone in the world of books.

The demise of the printed book has been predicted for decades, and with every new technological advancement the paperback is predicted to die. Television, video, CD, internet… all have been heralded as harbingers of doom for the novel.

However, the traditional book that we all know and love continues to fascinate every new generation.

So what does this new E-Book reader mean for children’s books?
Will this really be the end?

I do not think so. Paper books are so easy to read in bed, on the beach, in a tree…in fact, anywhere you can go, the book can go. You can flip through the pages, scribble in the margins, on the flyleaf, have them autographed, smell the print and the paper… even (I hate to admit it, but it was my favorite snack when I was a kid) tear the corners and chew them. (I recently learned that my brothers did too. Our house was full of half-eaten books. There must be something in the water or in the genes.) However, a good e-book reader is long overdue. since a long time. Electronic books have the great advantage of being downloadable directly from your computer and can be stored in considerable numbers in a limited space. For children who love technology but are hesitant to read a book, the e-book is a great innovation. Parents who want to inspire their children to read no longer have to struggle with the computer. They can simply buy a CD or directly download an e-book for their children to read on their PC or on the new Sony Reader.

The great thing about this new E-Book reader is the excellence of the visual display. Previous models were hard on the eyes. It’s as easy to read as traditional print. In fact, you can adjust the text size, so for the visually impaired, or those with tired eyes, it’s easier. Throw away those thick glasses or magnifying glasses! You can also store hundreds of books in a device that’s no more than an average hardcover. Ideal for taking vacations. Especially with the increasing nastiness of airlines with their baggage allowance. If you’re like me, with half your baggage allowance taken up with books, the e-book reader is a godsend. I am sure that the printed book will continue to coexist happily with this latest development, just as it has survived all the miracles of invention of previous decades.

However, the new e-book reader offers an alternative.

For authors like me, who have already released children’s novels on E-book, this new development is very exciting. I released my magical mysteries for 8-12 year olds as e-books, with 3 on each CD, a few years ago. The criticism has always been that nobody wants to read a novel on the computer. Now that does not apply. Your new e-book reader is as comfortable to hold on the couch as a paperback, and best of all, easier on the eyes. Children are born with new technology that we adults struggle to master. The traditional book will thrive and prosper in this new techno era. Indeed, Amazon’s success shows that the Internet may have changed the face of publishing but it certainly did not kill the book.

However, it’s time to consider a new alternative as well.

Why not give your kids an E-Book novel today?